Today we'll be examining another obscure spirit from the South American region that is gaining in popularity in the US, similarly to Brazil's cachaça. Incidentally, some consider this spirit also in the same family as cachaça, aguardiente. However, both can be designated as completely different types of spirits. Pisco can be classified as a white brandy since it is a distillate created from white wine, akin to the world's other white brandies and Italian grappas. As some of you may be aware, cachaça can also be classified separately as a rum itself. Pisco is serious business to the countries of Peru and Chile in which it was first produced. It is the national spirit of both countries and both lay claim to its origins. I will examine this history in a future article. Today we'll be focusing on one particular brand created in Peru named Ocucaje. The following history of the company was taken from the PiscoMarket.com site:
"O C U C A J E In the XVI Century the Hacienda Ocucaje in the Valley of Ica, 336 Km south of Lima was adjudged to Luis Sanchez, and after having different owners it became a property of the School of Jesuits. In the XVIII Century during the period of Virrey Amat and after the Jesuits were expelled from Peru, Ocucaje passed on to Juan de Apesteguia, Marquis of Torre Hermosa, married to Juana Maria de Herce y Dulce. After the Marquis died his widow became the landlady and then married Antonio de Arredondo, Governor of "Real Audiencia de Lima", there by the people would refer Ocucaje as the "Hacienda of the Governor". In 1848 Domingo Elias bought Ocucaje and later the property passed on to Andres Alvarez Calderon in the year 1867. Later on Ocucaje was acquired by Felipe Zunini who in 1898 started the industrial production of wines and piscos Ocucaje. In the 1930s Ocucaje became the property of Mr. Virgilio Rubini and Paul Truel, continuing the viticulture tradition imported grapevines especially selected from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and from the Rhin Valley and in this way the society Viña Ocucaje S.A. was formed and remains until the present as a property of the Rubini family. Today they produce different types of wines red and white and Piscos and Sangria of excellent quality."
Review:
Pisco Ocucaje has an interesting aroma. It is musty without being overbearingly so and quite sweet. The most striking aspect is its similarity in many ways to its Brazilian cousin cachaça. From there, floral notes waft into the nose along with a bouquet of grapes and slight hints of other fruits. As Peruvian pisco is not aged in barrels, there is a bit more of an alcoholic scent than other spirits around the globe. The flavor is smooth with a distinctly youthful white brandy beginning. From there, the complexity of the grapes begin to unfurl into a sweeter piquancy, finishing with notes of citrus and vanilla. This pisco truly shines when mixed in the national cocktail of both Peru and Chile, the Pisco Sour. Any spirits enthusiast looking for a break from the norm should give this product a try. Anyone interested can pick up a 750 ML bottle for around 21 dollars at your local area Spec's. As always, please call ahead for availability.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Suggested Tasting Method: Neat, in a Pisco Sour, or see below.
As an extra bonus, I wanted to share a cocktail recipe that I created when I noticed that I didn't have all the ingredients for a true Pisco Sour initially. I named this cocktail the "Perdí mi mente y no es culpa del pisco."
Perdí Mi Mente y No Es Culpa Del Pisco Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Ocucaje Pisco
- 7 oz. 7-Up (or equivalent lemon-lime soda)
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
Directions:
- Pour the pisco and 7-Up into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
- Pour the mixture over cubed or crushed ice in a 12 oz. glass of your choice.
- Add a dash of Angostura bitters to the top of the mixture.
Enjoy!
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